Country is not just a genre of music. It is a heritage that spans generations, and gives people from rural areas and the American West their cultural identity, with living ties to their ancestors and native home. It is through these ties that people feel a sense of purpose, pride, and fulfillment other music just cannot bestow, and it is what is tragically lost when those traditions are eroded or taken away. Country music is like a living, breathing, historical construct unfurling across a timeline that binds people to who they are and where they’re from forevermore. It is something that helps people understand they’re a part of something bigger than themselves. It is the life stories of the rural dweller and the blue collar worker told through song. And though others are more than welcome to observe and enjoy, it will always be a music tied to a specific people.

This is what many misunderstand when they expect country music to evolve on an expedited schedule, or incorporate influences from other genres to the point where the music is indiscernible from other genres, and its historical timeline becomes in peril of breaking, or becoming so strained that it is rendered weak to resist adverse elements from encroaching on its borders. Country music must be able to define itself, or like rock, it risks dying. And if country music dies, those stories, and that legacy and lineage of all those people and places as a living, breathing entity could be lost with it. Country music isn’t just music for people, it is the music of a people, from a people, and by a people.

Daryle Singletary wasn’t just a “90s country star” as some have characterized. Yes, the mid-90s were the period when Singletary he enjoyed his commercial apex. But his career was so much more, and was arguably the most critically important and impacting in the here and now. Over the last few years, Daryle Singletary had found a new home among artists who make it a point to preserve the roots of the music, not just for themselves, but for future generations, and to be a counterweight to what is currently happening in the mainstream. With his 2015 record There’s Still a Little Country Left, and then with his 2017 duets record with Rhonda Vincent of mostly country standards called American Grandstand, Daryle Singletary re-affirmed his commitment to preserving the music and legacy that had given him great opportunity in his life.

Daryle Singletary was perfectly willing to bid his big mainstream country music career goodbye as opposed to compromising who he was to hold on to it—an oath and affirmation most all traditional country artists must make if they are stay true to themselves in these times. At the same time, Singletary was re-affirming other things in his life as well, including his faith, and his commitment to family by starting one of his own. When he passed away unexpectedly at the age of 46 on Monday, February 12th, he was the father of a 3-year-old named Charlotte Rose, a 5-year-old named Nora Caroline, and two 7-year-old twin boys, Mercer and Jonah.

The music Daryle Singletary made may have sounded old, but when he passed away, he was so very young, and he leaves an even younger family behind that it is hard to not hurt for. But what he also leaves for them and all of us is a legacy of songs, performances, relationships, and principles that his family, fans, and country music can be proud of, as opposed to one full of compromise, and words and songs that will not last until his children are adults because they’re tied to trends instead of the tried and true modes of true country music.

The legacy a country music artist leaves is not just measured in hits, or how many awards they hold. It’s also measured in how well they held fast to who they were. It’s measured by their stewardship of the music, and the influence they leave for future generations. Daryle Singletary left us way too early. But by grace he also left after he fulfilled a solemn and important purpose every country artist should fulfill before the end of their career—which is proving their commitment to the music beyond their own body of work.

Daryle Singletary may be gone, but his music will linger, the spark of his life will still remain in his young children’s eyes, and the legacy of country music will be better off because he was here, and remained himself amid the hardest era for a traditional country performer. Now and forever, when people ask, “What is country?” we will be able to point back to the life and career of Daryle Singletary as a shining example.

Sadly he passed young. His music that he left is a treasure of mixed emotions from “The Note” “You Ain’t Heard Nothing Yet” to “I Still Sing This Way” and “Low Expectations.” It’s artist like these that make you tear up when they pass not because I feel like I knew them but more because I feel like they knew me. The voices that can rip your heart out or say hey buddy it’s time to dance. Like close family the memories will survive in their songs.

“I still sing this way, the only way I know
Straight from the heart, a little through my nose
You can dress me up in leather pants
Put me in front of a rock ‘n’ roll band
I can dance around the stage but I still sing this way”

When people like Troy Gentry, Lari White, Kevin Sharp, Daron Norwood, etc. passed it was incredibly sad because they were a part of my musical landscape growing up as a child in the 90s. But with Daryle Singletary passing, it’s more than heartbreaking. I think it stems from the fact that as passionate country music fans we all want our country music to sound country. As a fan, we can chat about it on sites like this, buy the records, etc. but Daryle was carrying out our vision. A leader, of sorts.

He gave us hope and reminded us of the good that still remained. He was my introduction to “Old Violin,” “Long Black Veil,” and the numerous well-received covers he recorded. He loved and preserved country music so well.

I think what makes me really sad is reading all of the comments from other artists. He was so loved and many considered him one of the greatest voices. It just makes make sad that he didn’t get the public praise/recognition that he deserved while he was still alive because I think his role in country music is pivotal.

And every radio station, magazine, etc that ignored his one in a trillion god given talent,…. shame on you. This mans vocals were unparalleled. He was literally in talent with the all time greats vocally (right alongside his heroes Jones, Gosdin, Whitley, Haggard). I mean 9 times out of 10 Daryle sang the greats better than they sang their own songs. And the sad thing is, we will never get this type of vocal talent again that sings this style of music. Its gone. Sure, we’ve got underground artists who are great songwriters, very creative, and mediocre vocalists. Daryle was THE vocalist for traditional country music, and he was overlooked by the mainstream for being too country, and he was sadly overlooked by the underground country community as well. No one in the mainstream or the underground could hold a candle to Daryle Singletary when it comes to singing country music. And the sad thing is Daryle truly loved the music, traditional country music. He was as big of a fan of the music as the people were who came to see his shows. If you are a fan of true traditional country music (in the singing style of Haggard and Jones), this is an absolute death blow. Its gone. I truly believe when he drew his last breath that he was the greatest living country singer on this planet.

James I have loved King George since I was 16, but even King George couldn’t hold a candle to Daryle. He could make me cry with his harmony and vibrato. Just devastating. Country couldn’t afford to loose him

lol Strait can’t hold a candle to Singletary as a vocalist. Strait is a good vocalist who was marketed perfectly and compromised just enough to stay mainstream relevant, and likely overrated as a singer. Singletary is an excellent vocalist who was too country and a staunch traditionalist no matter the cost, and likely the most underrated singer of all time.

Absolutely ,Marilyn . Not to take from the sentiments being sincerely expressed here about Daryle, but I often listen to Joe and shake my head thinking about how HIS vocal gift was , like Daryle’s, a REAL country song’s best friend . So sad that Joe has had to record the things he has and cannot use his gift as , I believe , it was meant to be used .

I’d go as far as to say underground Country is actually an urban art form, in which urban performers replicate aspects of Country Music. That’s why the underground community overlooked Daryle. The hipsters that form that community were too busy slicking back their pompadours, shopping in thrift stores, and perfecting their fake twang to notice a real, bonafide, country man like Daryle Singletary.

And I tried to think of a living Country singer more talented than Daryle…the only one I could come up with is Gene Watson.
Of course it all depends on who’s listening I guess.

Lord Honky of Crackersly, Mo Pitney is a very talented up and coming young traditional country singer. I’m hoping he is out in front of the next neo-traditional movement (we’re about due for another one).

Truth, I agree with you as well. We seem to spend a lot of time praising songwriters, holding them in such high regard often overlooking their mediocre vocals. Totally true. I could name names of examples but that would irk their fans and start another debate.( Bob Dylan anyone?) Yet we don’t often enough discuss the truly great country and western vocalists as much as we should. Your list of Daryles heroes is a pretty good representation. I would add Don Williams, Ray Price, and Jamey Johnson to it and perhaps Dale Watson.
Yes, Daryle was a unique, once in a lifetime talent, and he blessed us with it.

Not to slight Darryle, but he will not become another Whitley.
Whitley had just hit the big time and had scored three consecutive #1 hits, when he suddenly died. (He extended the streak to five with two more posthumous #1’s.) And Whitley died like Hank did, from drinking (which seems “artistic”).
Whitley (OK, and Strait) are the two ’80s/post-’80s country singers who later mainstream country singers and guys like Aaron Lewis regularly name-check in their songs.
Daryle had three top-10 hits in his life and had not had a top-40 hit in 20 years when he died in middle-age, while seriously obese.
He was a niche artist. Most present day “country” fans had never heard of him. He’s justly admired by his fans, but that’s not the stuff of “legend.”

What an impressive tribute to this legend of Country music! I’m reading regularly your blog from France and this article is one of the best I have read. You couldn’t have found better better words to express what country music is and why we are so many people to love it around the world.

Trigger what a comment
it say’s it all, as a country music dj in a small community radio station here in queensland Australia I have done and alway’s will play only the traditional country sound but with Daryle Singletary It Was Just Pure 100% COUNTRY, He will be sadly missed but what a legacy we have been left with, all that music that will be played for years to come.

I’m a huge fan of his first two albums especially; those contained “Too Much Fun,” “I Let Her Lie,” “Livin’ Up to Her Low Expectations,” “Cold Spell Movin’ In,” “Workin’ It Out,” his rendition of “Would These Arms Be in Your Way” (previously performed by Vern Gosdin and Keith Whitley), “What Am I Doing There” (previously recorded by George Jones), “The Used to Be’s,” “Amen Kind of Love,” “My Heart, Population You,” and many others.

real estate hands and she sure looks good in black are excellent and mostly unheard of from his rockin in the country album. The title track of that album and “they know how to grow em” are both good times. “I’m living up to her low expectations” and “there’s a cold spell moving in” are straight country. “You ain’t heard nothin yet”, “ain’t it the truth”, “get out of my country”, “spilled whiskey”, “enough to lie to me”, “too late to save the world”. Both “that’s why I sing this way” and “I still sing this way”…..and then the obvious ones: too much fun, the note, I let her lie, and amen kind of love.

Check out his version of “That’s Where I Want To Take Our Love,” a great Keith Whitley song also sung by George Strait. Josh Turner, who by the way said Daryle convinced him to move to Nashville, has referred to it as his favorite love song.

Unfortunately, YouTube didn’t even list Daryle’s name as the artist except on the album cover.

Trigger …your thoughts above are beautiful in their honesty and sincerity . I certainly hope Mr Singletary’s family have the opportunity to read it as I believe it reflects what all of us here feel about his gifts and commitment to the traditions of the genre and the never-more-than -right- now importance of that commitment .
God bless Daryle and his family .

Albert, I will make sure to personally deliver this to his precious wife. She will indeed treasure these words! I’m compiling a book of personal stories and reflections from friends for Holly and the kids so they can look at it when they need to be reminded that their Daddy/husband impacted countless people in many ways, music was one of those ways, but not the only one! This man’s heart was bigger than most! When those babies need a smile, and thy will have many days when they need one, they can turn to this little book and browse the pages of happy memories of so many! As the children grow up, this will hopefully be something they can reflect on and share in the memories of the others that got to spend so many more years with Daryle than they did. He may be gone from this earth, but he could never be forgotten. He lives on in the hearts of those that had the pleasure of knowing him, and he will never be far from our thoughts.

Man, this guy could sing you into submission! He had such clarity, traditional, unbelievableism in every not he annunciated! He could make my hackles rare up at the first note of a song! Just a rare raw talent that most likely will never be touched. He was one of the few that could fill those shoes that George spoke of, are wear his own kind of hat like Merle sang about, he was the A-11 that Buck sung about! He’ll be sorely missed and irreplaceable!

My playlist will always contain DS’s songs like Too Late to Save the World, Ain’t It the Truth, Real Estate Hands, She Sure Looks Good in Black, There’s a Cold Spell Movin’ In, Even the Wind, and so many more that others have mentioned. They will always make the hairs on the back of my neck stand up each and every time I hear them, just as they have since the first time. His heartfelt renditions of songs like Promises, Old Violin, and Would These Arms Be in Your Way will enable discovery for young people who might have never otherwise known about Randy Travis, Johnny Paycheck, or Vern Gosdin. Although John Wesley Ryles’s “Kay” might not have exactly been a traditional standard, it’s a gut-wrenching masterpiece, and Daryle made us realize that all good songs are priceless pieces of art..and they always sound better with weeping steel or mournful slide guitar backing up vocals that come from the soul.

Although the volume of his recordings is mostly complete, the volume of his contribution to traditional country will be ever expanding, as long as people still appreciate music with substance.

Although we as fans are sad, it almost feels selfish because what he meant to us will always live on through his music. The loss of the man is felt most by his family and friends, and I pray that God will comfort and bless them with the memories of the good times they had together.

“Daryle is from rural Georgia. His father is a retired postmaster and his mother is a hair dresser. They sang gospel music on weekends. By the time he reached his teens, Daryle was a rabid country music fan, enthralled by the sounds of Keith Whitley and his all-time favorite, Randy Travis.

He moved to Nashville in the fall of 1990 and made the rounds of Music City’s nightclub talent contests, picking up $100 here and there. Producer Greg Cole began playing drums in his band at a club called The Broken Spoke. Daryle recorded a pair of singles for the independent label Evergreen Records in 1992, but neither was a success. In the meantime, he was badgering his idol with letters. After members of the Randy Travis band heard Daryle at The Broken Spoke, they urged the star to listen, too. With Randy as his co-producer, Daryle Singletary issued his debut album on Giant Records in 1995.”

This is such a big loss to the country music family. He made such a big impact on us all. Prayers for his family, friends and fans. He sang from his heart and soul. The 90’s was when country music was still country music and thats a decade of music that none of us will forget. RIP Darryl.

God, I loved his music. I feel he got better after the radio success dried up. The “That’s Why I Sing This Way” album was my intro to him, and I was mesmerized by his voice, and those songs, especially “I Never Go Around Mirrors”, which has been a longtime favorites. Thank you Daryle Singletary for seven albums worth of great music, and we will sure miss that voice

“I Never Go Around Mirrors” was great on CD. In live performance, it was devastating. I’ve never heard a better performance of any song by any live performer.

Daryle would start shows with “Footlights,” which was extraordinary, and I’d figure his business of knocking Dave through the floor was complete. Then he’d inevitably top that performance five more times during the course of the show. “Mirrors,” “Old Violin,” an unreal cover of “Too Cold At Home”…

The one song that always comes to mind when I read his name is “too much fun”

I was 7 when it came out and when I hear it, it throws me back to when I was a young kid spending time out in the country just living life with no worries like a 7 year old should, back when the world seemed so much friendlier and nicer.

Daryle was a good friend to Rodeo and to all the Rodeo fans. I looked forward to hearing him sing during NFR in Vegas. He was always having a good time and would pop up on stage celebrating with fans after a rodeo performance. His voice, so pure and true country. He had that twinkle in his eyes, his song “too much fun” just perfect. I do believe he enjoyed every day and every song he had the chance to sing. God Bless his family, prayers for them.

For those interested in helping the Singletary family, there is a donation page up now. Donations can also be mailed by check. This has been posted on the fan site and family members’ Facebook pages, and a call to the Franklin Synergy Bank can confirm its legitimacy.https://www.youcaring.com/darylesingletarysfamily-1106490

Let me just say, Daryle Singletary was an awesome singer. So sad we lost Daryle at such a young age. The quality and the purity of his voice was unmatched. If you haven’t heard the las duett CD with Rhonda Vincent, American Grandstand Stand. Go to YouTube, Search American Grandstand, take a listen. The harmonies are on point, they sound better than the original Artist. It’s amazing! Buy Daryles music on iTunes, Amazon! For sure buy American Grandstand, you will not be disappointed.